Tracker-board.



No. 804,822. PATENTED NOV. 21, 1905. H. P. BALL.

TRACKER BOARD.

APPLICATION FILED NOV.20, 1903.

2 SHEETS-SHEET l.

PATENTED NOV. 21, 1905.

2 SHEETS-SHEET 2.

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F-EISIZEDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDCIIIJDDUDDCIDDUDD UNITED STATES; PATENT OFFICE.

HENRY PRICE BALL, OF SOHENEOTADY, NEWV YORK, ASSIGNOR OF ONE- HALF TO SAMUEL INSULL, OF CHICAGO, ILLINOIS.

TRACKER-BOARD.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Nov. 21, 1905.

Application filed November 20, 1903. Serial No. 182,037.

To all mil/0172, (It petty concern: 7

Be it known that I, HENRY PRICE BALL, a citizen of the United States, residing at Schenectady, county of Schenectady, State of New York, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in 'Iracker-Boards, of which the following is a specification.

This invention relates to tracker-boards of the type now commonly used in connection with a perforated music-strip on mechanical musical instruments; and it consists in a construction by means of which a tracker-board may be adjusted for use with music-strips of different width, of different scale, to change the key of a composition above or below that normal to the music-strip, and, further, in the means employed to overcome the objectionable noises due to friction of a paper music-strip in passing over the trackerboard, to chattering or fluttering of the edges of the perforations in the music-strip when passing over the ducts in the tracker-board.

The objects of my invention are to provide means whereby any mechanical musical instrument may be used with any perforated music that can be purchased in the market and to generally improve the construction and mode of operation of mechanical musical instruments.

The accompanying drawings will serve to illustrate my invention.

Figure 1 is a transverse section on the line XX of Fig. 2. Fig. 2 is ayertical section on the line Y Y of Fig. 1. Fig. 3 is a plan view. Fig. tis an end view looking from the right, showing the frame for holding the movable portion of the tracker-board in its raised position. Fig. 5 is a section corresponding to Fig. 2, showing the first row of ducts in the movable portion of the tracker-board in relation with the ducts in the fixed portion of the tracker-board. Fig. 6 is a section corresponding to Fig. 2, showing the last row of ducts in the movable portion of the trackerboard in relation with the ducts in the fixed portion of the tracker-board. Fig. 7 is a view corresponding to Fig. l and shows a modification of my invention as employed for altering the key' in which a composition is played. Figs. 8, 9, and 10 are vertical sections through Fig. 7 and show, respectively, the first, second, and third row of ducts in the movable portion of the tracker-board in relation with the fixed portion of the trackerboard. Fig. 11 is plan view of Fig. 7. Figs. 12 and 14 represent transverse sections of a tracker-board or of the movable portion of a tracker-board provided with means for preventing chattering or fluttering of the paper of the music-strip as it passes over the trackerboard. Fig. 13 is a plan view of the top of one of the ducts shown in Fig. 12 with a portion of the music-strip passing through over it. Fig. 15 is a similar view having reference to Fig. let.

In the drawings, represents the body of a mechanical musical instrument of any wellknown type and in which is mounted a trackerboard 21, the main ducts 22 in which communicate with the usual pneumatics tirough tubes 23. This tracker-board is located in the instrument in such a position that its curved upper surface 24 will be on the same level as the top of the arc-shaped plates 25, which plates may be separate or formed from a part of the side frames of the instrument. Situated over the top 2 L of the tracker-board and the arc-shaped plates 25 is a skeleton frame 26, slotted along its face or upper surface 27 or otherwise shaped to receive the movable portion 28 of the tracker-board.

29 indicates cross-straps at the ends of the frame 26, which serve to hold the movable portion 28 of the tracker-board in place when inserted in the slot 27. The frame 26 is pivotally mounted at its opposite ends upon arms 30, pivoted at 31 to the side plates 25, and is also connected at its opposite ends to links 32, pivotally connected to cranks 33, also pivoted at 31 in the side plates. plates 25 back of the arms are sectors 34:, provided with holes 35. Mounted in each arm 30 is a pin 36, adapted to coact with the holes 35 in the sector 3& under it. Mounted also Mounted on the side 9 upon the arms 30 are the springs 37, which that is, may be given any number of ducts or arrangements of ducts or character of ducts to cooperate when in relation with the main ducts 22 in the tracker-board 21.

In Fig. 3 three rows of ducts are shown, A B C, which I term supplemental ducts, and

for the purposes of description I will assume that the maximum number of perforations across the sheet of any commercial musicroll is thirty three and the minimum number twenty-nine. Such-being the case, it will be seen that when the first row of supplemental ducts A is over the main ducts 22 all of such ducts will be operative, whereas if the second row of supplemental duets B are over the main ducts 22 but a portion of the main ducts will be operative. t will thus be seen that provision is made for two types of music-sheets, one having the largest number of perforations and the other having the smallest number of perforations. Manifestly instead of having but two rows of supplemental duets A B any number of parallel rows might be used.

Aside from there being in the market rolls having a greater or less number of perforations of uniform width and spacing arranged across the sheet there are music-rolls which carry a scale peculiar to themselves. Such a scale is indicated by the ducts C, where the ducts gradually decrease in width from the sides of the sheet inwardly.

The relation of the supplemental ducts C to the main ducts 22 is shown in Fig. 6that is, the ducts are inclined so as to bring them into relation'with certain of the main ducts 22. It will be understood that when the supplemental duets C are brought into relation with the main ducts 22 a music-sheet carrying a scale having perforations corresponding in position to the ducts C may be employed.

Instead of employing parallel rows of supplemental ducts of varying arrangement or character I may employ parallel rows of the same arrangement and character as shown in Fig. 11 and indicated as D E F. I/Vhen these supplemental ducts are brought into relation with the main ducts 22, the key in which the composition is played may be that in which it is written-a 0., when the supplemental ducts E, Fig. 9, correspond with the ducts 22or may be transposed up the scale 0., when the supplemental ducts D, Fig. 10, correspond with the main ducts 22 or down the scale when the supplemental ducts F, Fig. 8, correspond with the main duct 22.

The fixed and movable portions of the tracker-board may be formed of any suitable materialsuch as Wood, rubber, glass,metalpreferablyany material which will hold its form and which will not present'a frictional surface to the moving music-strip. Glass I find to be very suitable for the purpose. Instead of using the materials mentioned from which to make the fixed and movable portions of the tracker-board I may make it (one or both portions) of paper or other material having the same coeflieient of expansion and contraction under atmospheric conditions as the music-strip to be used with it. It willbe seen from the shape of the frame 26 that longitudinal expansion and contraction of the movable portion of the tracker-board, whatever material it may be made of, can freely take place within the frame.

I have stated that the tracker-board, both portions, can be made of any of the materials mentioned. Of course it will be understood that the fixed portion of the tracker-board may be'made of one material and the movable portion of another material. The frame 26 may carry a movable portion made of any material. This is an zulvantag'eas, for instance, in dry weather I may use a movable portion made of wood, glass, or other material, and in wet or dry weather, when the paper of which the music-strip is usually made is subjected to expansion and contraction, use a movable traeker-board made of paper or other material having the same coefficient of expansion and contraction as the music-strip. With such a tracker-board I prefer to have the ducts formed in the movable portion and which register with the d nets in the fixed portion slightly larger at their ends where they cooperate with the ducts in the fixed tracker-board, as shown in Fig. 5, than at the top where they cooperate with the perforations in the music-strip, as by so doing the expansion and contraction of the movable portion of the tracker-board may take place without disturbing the cooperation between the ducts of the movable portion and fixed portion of the tracker-bozu'd.

In order to overcome the chattering sounds due to the vibration of the edges of the perforations in the music-strip in passing over the ducts, I may place over the ducts a series of fine parallel wires 38, Figs. 12, 13, or I may cover the surface of the removable portion 28 of the tracker-board by a body 39, (preferably an antifriction-body,) perforated over the duets with a series of very line holes 4E0, Figs. 14, 15.

It will be seen upon reference to Figs. 13 and 15 that the music-strip 41 in passing over the sn 'iplemental duets, which in all the figures .I have indicated as a, is held flat that is to say, the rear portion of the perforation b will be held down to the surface of the tracker-board and not drawn into the open duct, as is now usual. I'Vhen the edge of the perforation 7) is drawn into the duct, it chatters and by beating the side of the duct produces an objectionable noise, which is the purpose of perforations 40 to overcome.

The adjustment of the frame 26, carrying the removable portion 28 of the trackerboard, is effected by moving the arm 30 to the right or left, as required, and when the desired position is reached drawing the frame from the position shown in Fig. 4 to the position shown in Fig. 1 and fixing it in such position by means of thelin k 32 and crank 33 and pin 36. he object of the spring 37 is to throw the l frame into the position shown in Fig. 4 when TIO the tracker-board is not in use.

Where the supplemental tracker-board is made of paper, it is desirable, in order that the paper shall be uniformly exposed on both its surfaces to the action of the atmosphere, to hold it when not in use in an elevated position.

I wish it understood that I do not limit myself to the various details of construction illustrated and described in this application, as it will be evident that very many modifications can be made without departing from the intent of my invention.

Having thus described my invention, 1 claim- 1. A tracker-board comprising a fixed portion having a series of ducts, and a portion movable relative to the fixed portion having a plurality of series of ducts, differently spaced at one surface of :the movable portion and each series adapted to coact with the ducts of the fixed portion when moved into relation therewith.

2. A tracker-board comprising a fixed portion having a series of .ducts, and a portion movable relative to the fixed portion having a plurality of series of ducts differing in size, each series adapted to coact with the ducts of the fixed portion when moved into relation therewith.

3. A tracker-board comprising a fixed portion having a series of ducts, and a portion movable relative to the fixed portion having a plurality of series of ducts differing in direction in such movable portion, each series adapted to coact with the ducts of the fixed portion when moved into relation therewith.

L. A tracker-board comprising a fixed portion having a definite number of ducts, and a movable portion having a plurality of series of ducts, one series corresponding in number with the ducts in the fixed portion, one series less in number, and one series of different shape, each series adapted to coact with the ducts of the fixed portion when moved into relation therewith.

5. A tracker-board comprising a fixed portion having a definite number of ducts, a pivoted frame, a movable portion formed of a material whose coeflioient of expansion and contraction will be the same as that of the music-strip to be used in connection with it, and having a plurality of series of ducts, each series adapted to coact with the ducts of the fixed portion when moved into relation therewith.

6. Atracker-board comprising a fixed portion having a definite number of ducts, a pivoted frame, a movable portion having an antifriction-surface mounted in said frame.

7. A tracker-board comprising a fixed portion having a definite number of ducts, a pivoted frame, a movable portion mounted in said frame and having a plurality of series of ducts with-the openings of said ducts protected to prevent entrance of the paper of the musicstrip used with the tracker-board into the ducts, and each series adapted to coact with the ducts of the fixed portion when moved into relation therewith.

8. Atracker-board comprising a fixed portion havinga definite number of ducts, aframe movable in relation to the fixed portion, a movable portion mounted in said frame and having a plurality of series of ducts, each series adapted. to coact with the ducts of the fixed portion when moved into relation therewith, together with means for fixing said frame in certain defined positions.

9. A tracker-board comprising a fixed portion having a definite number of ducts. aframe movable in relation to the fixed portion, a movable portion mounted in said frame and having a plurality of series of ducts, each series adapted to coact with the ducts of the fixed portion when moved into relation there with, together with means for lifting the frame and the movable portion out of cooperative relation with the fixed portion.

10. A tracker-board comprising a fixed portion, having a definite number of ducts, a movable portion formed of a material which will have the same coefiicient of expansion and contraction as the paper strip to be used therewith, and having a plurality of series of ducts, each series adapted to coact with the ducts of the fixed portion when moved into relation therewith, together with means for adjusting the position of the movable portion relative to the fixed portion.

11. A tracker-board having a series of ducts therein, and means situated at the upper openings of the ducts which will prevent the entrance of the paper of the music-strip into the ducts as it is drawn across the ducts.

12. A tracker-board comprising a fixed portion having a series of ducts, a movable portion having a plurality of series of differentlyspaced ducts, and means for moving said lastnamed portion into and out of relation with the fixed portion.

13. 'A tracker-board comprising a fixed portion having a series of ducts, a movable portion having a plurality of series of ducts, and means for moving said movable portion into and out of relation with the fixed portion and for elevating said movable portion to allow access of air to its under side.

14. A tracker-board comprising a fixed portion having a series of ducts, a pivoted frame, a movable portion carried by said frame and removable therefrom, said movable portion having a plurality of series of differentlyspaced ducts, each series adapted to coact with the ducts of the fixed portion when moved into relation therewith.

15. Atracker-board comprisinga fixed portion having a definite number of ducts, a portion movable in relation to said fixed portion and having a plurality ofseries of ducts, one series vertically disposed therein and the other IIO two series angularly disposed therein, each of the series of ducts of the movable portion adapted to coact with the ducts of the fixed portion when moved into relation therewith.

16. A tracker-board comprising a fixed portion having a series of ducts, a pivoted portion having a plurality of series of differentlyspaced duets arranged in parallel rows, and each series adapted to coact with the ducts of the fixed portion when brought into relation therewith.

17. In combination with a music-strip having a definite number and arrangement of perforations, a tracker-board comprising a fixed portion having a series of ducts, and a movable portion having a plurality of series of differently-spaced duets, said movable portion interposed between the music-strip ane the fixed portion and adapted to establish coactive relation between the perforations in the musicstrip and the ducts in the fixed portion of the tracker-board.

18. A tracker-board comprising a portion having a series of ducts, and a superposed portion having a number of differently-spaced ducts for each duct in the lower portion.

19. A tracker-board comprising a main portion, and a supplemental detachable portion formed of a different material.

20. A tracker-board com prisinga fixed portion, a superposed removable portion, and means for holding such portions separated when not in operation.

21. A tracker-board comprising a fixed portion having a series of ducts, and a movable portion having a plurality of series of in clined ducts.

22. A tracker board comprising a fixed member having a series of ducts, and a movable member having a plurality of series of ducts, said ducts being similarly spaced upon the under side of the movable member, so that they will correspond in spacing with the d ucts in the fixed memberof the trackenboard, and dissimilarly spaced upon the upper side of the movable'member.

23. A tracker-board comprising two pertions, one pivoted to the other, and each provided with ducts, the center distances between ducts in one section equally spaced and in the other section unequally spaced.

24. Atracker-boardcomprisinga fixed por tion having a series of ducts therein, a movable portion having a plurality of series of diagonally-disposed ducts therein.

25. A tracker-board comprising a fixed portion having a single row of equally-spaced ducts, and a superposed movable portion having a plurality of rows of ducts, one row differing from the others as to the scale scheme of center distances between the ducts.

26. A tracker-board comprisingafixed portion, a frame pivoted thereto, and a removable supplemental portion carried by said frame.

27. A tracker board comprising a fixed member having equally-spaced ducts, and a superposed movable portion having a row of duets with orifices at unequal distances between centers.

28. A tracker-board consisting of several members coacting to form a row of continuous ducts when in service, and means for bolding the members apart when not in service.

29. A tracker-board comprising a portion having a series of d ucts arranged according to a given scale, and a portion coacting with said first-named portion and having a plurality of series of ducts arranged according to two different scales.

30. A tracker-board com prising a fixed portion having a series of ducts arranged according to a given scale, and a movable portion having a plurality of series oi ducts, each arranged according to a different scale, together with means for adjusting any series of ducts in the movable portion relative to the ducts in the fixed portion.

31. A tracker-board divided into two sections, a series of equally-spaced ducts in the lower section, and a plurality of series of variously-spaced ducts in the upper section, together with means for adjusting any series of ducts in the upper section relative to the series of ducts in the lower section.

32. A tracker-board comprising a fixed portion having a series of ducts, and a movable portion having a plurality of series oi ducts, said ducts having their inlets and orifices dil ferently spaced and arranged in parallel rows in the top and bottom of the movable portion, and said duct-orifices spaced to coact with the ducts in the fixed portion.

In testimony whereof I allix my signature in the presence of two witnesses.

HENRY PRICE BALL.

Witnesses:

J. E. Pearson, FRANK OCoNNoR. 

